California HSR section receives approval from feds

In a major step forward for California high-speed rail, the Federal Railroad Administration issued a Record of Decision that approved the alignment from Merced to Fresno, allowing construction to begin next year.

The Merced to Fresno section is the first of several key project sections that make up the backbone of a high-speed rail system that will ultimately connect millions of Central Valley residents to San Francisco and Los Angeles in less than two hours.

"Today is a significant move forward for California's high-speed rail system," said Dan Richard, chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority's Board of Directors. "Governor Brown's leadership brought major improvements to the plans, management and delivery of high-speed rail and has in large part made this day possible. The authority is committed to a close partnership with the public in the building of high-speed rail. Currently, we are gathering public comment on our environmental documents for the Fresno to Bakersfield section and we look forward to again delivering an alignment that is the best for the communities along the route, as well as for all Californians."